CNN’s Relaunched ‘Crossfire’ Hits Viewer & Demo Low

Looks like troubles come in threes for CNN lately. First the cable news company had its worst single primetime in over a year on October 30, then it had its worst week since Jeff Zucker took over and now the relaunched Crossfire has hit new lows. Resuscitated on September 9 after eight years off the air, the political debate show pulled in just 233,00 viewers overall and a mere 59,000 among adults 25-54 between 6:30 PM and 7 PM on Monday. Full-hour time-slot rivals on Fox News Channel and MSNBC did a lot better — to put it mildly. FNC’s Special Report had 2.44 million viewers with 411,000 in the key news demo, while MSNBC’s Al Sharpton-hosted PoliticsNation had 707,000 total viewers and 170,000 among the 25-54s.

Related:CNN Falls To Lowest Daily Primetime In Over A YearMonday’s results represent a significant drop from the October 3 high the Newt Gingrich,Stephanie Cutter, S.E. Cupp and Van Jones hosted show hit with 891,000 total viewers and 326,000 in the demo. Crossfire’s previous viewership low was on October 25 when it had 251,000 total viewers. The previous demo low was on September 20 when it drew just 66,000 viewers among adults 25-54. The September 9 debut of the show earlier this year had a modest 581,000 viewers and 171,000 in the demo.

198 Comments

QJ201 • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Well Zucker you blew it.

I’m one of those folks that would leave CNN on all day while working at home. Not anymore. Crossfire = CHANGE CHANNEL IMMEDIATELY. I will NEVER listen to anything that hateful hack Gringrich has to say about anything. As for the rest…it seems most of your anchors are trying to be as dumb and vacuous as Faux News. It’s news for the barely conscious and barely literate.

Now I just have endless reruns of House Hunters play all day.

rulierose • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

it’s always amusing to me how some people can smear Fox News when commenting on articles that aren’t even about Fox News. maybe instead of bashing it you should watch it. then you’d at least know what you were talking about, unlike now.

The Cat • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Typical of a democrat — can never stay on point and it’s always someone else’s fault.

southern woman • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Amen.

Anonymous • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Haha, you noticed that as well. It’s a disease

Barkingdale • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Don’t you love conservatives? They have tremendous difficulty with higher level analysis and thought processes that aren’t as linear and simple as a breadstick.

Comparing one station to another, especially when it is one losing to other channels, is about as basic an aspect of a critique as you can get. But, you know, if it disses Crox News and forces the poor righties to have to hold two thoughts in their heads at one time, it causes their fuses to burn out.

CNN is crashing and burning because it is awful. It’s anchors, even seemingly serious ones like Jake Tapper and the venerable Wolf Blitzer are trapped in a simpering, mindless lowest common denominator version of “balanced news” minus most of their reporters and filled with laptop flipping bloviating frauds whose job is to tell you what they think instead of doing research, understanding complex issues, and imparting good, useful information. Crossfire is a train wreck, unwatchable screeching and relentless stupidity on all sides. Zero chemistry.

Now, Fox Noise is a great example of how low a “journalistic” enterprise can sink when it seeks to be nothing more than a propaganda outfit worthy of or a new age Goebbels like Ailes and Murdoch, with its domesticated zoo of right wing sheep. MSNBC is better, since it actually does reporting, but is still a political outfit.

The need for straight news is huge in America, and CNN is failing miserably to fill it. At this point I’d even prefer to watch anything but the big three.

mike kicenski • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

absolutely agree. The only thing missing on CNN’s prime time line-up is a studio band and a side-kick. I don’t need a panel debate or discussion who might run for national dog-catcher in two years. Here’s a flash for Mr. Zucker. CNN stands for Cable NEWS Network.
There’s got to be some more stuff going on that matters. Report it! without PC parinoia that “stupid magic wall” and with some intelligence….oh and for God’s sake dump Crossfire.

mk

Steve • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I’ve watched Fox News extensively. Every day for years at a government job where we couldn’t control the feed.

It’s nightmarish. CNN might be pandering and gimmicky, but at least it isn’t one huge lie. Fox News is flat out unusable as a source of actual information. Yes MSNBC is liberal, but the FACTS aren’t. The editorial is, and they stay separate. On Fox the facts become editorialized. Liberal news isn’t a giant wool over the eyes lie focused on voter turnout. No major news organization is great, or even good, but Fox is a whole different breed of bad. It’s damaging.

Jerry • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Thanks for the continued downward death spiral of CNN Zucker, you’re even worse than Joe (De)Klein, keep up the good work. It’s amazing that fools still advertise on CNN.

Cherry • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

You poor poor little sheep.

Steve • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I’m assuming that you’re assuming that I am liberal.

I’m making a statement about the facts/editorial content. My politics have nothing to do with it.

rushnboob • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Not a single example of intentional lying by FOX news EVER.

Libs are hilarious

FAIRTV • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

As usual this critique of Fox News does not contain one single example of their “lying.”

Anonymous • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Well, there are a lot of lies told on Fox. Right not they are showing a Congressional hearing on the Obamacare roll-out, and all I am hearing from those responsible for it are lies. ;-)

DOA • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Yeah, because the federal government is big on feeding Fox News to its workers all day. Completely believable story, Steve.

LC • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I can ‘t imagine what you might have heard on MSNBC that you can, sanely, label as a ‘fact.’ On the few incidents of my accidentally having what we call BS-NBC on, I’ve heard only spin, hype, politico-marketing and message-massage. Tinkles Matthews was bad enough but it’s degenerated since then. The party which founded the KKK is now effectively housed on MSNBC and spends its time name-calling and lying. (We keep hearing about municipality’s attempts to stop schoolyard bullying and name-calling, which seems quixotically unlikely given that name-calling and bullying is the strategy du jour of our ‘elected’ officials, starting at the top. But then, that’s the usual recourse of Cook County thugs so we got what we paid for in this instance.)

At any rate, the MSNBC that your local cable provider carries must differ radically from the feed that wafts through our cable box as ‘facts’ are very few and far between. Spin, though, and illogic are in firm control of the, you should excuse the oxymoron, ‘discussion’ thereon.

I’m reminded of a quip, attributed to Dorothy Parker, when she said of another writer: “Everything she says is a lie including ‘and’ and ‘the.'” An observation that I find singularly applicable to the talking mouthpieces (I hesitate to elevate Al Sharpton to ‘head’ status)on your fave cable channel.)

If not for perverts, idiots and bigots, Pmsnbc wouldn’t have any viewers.

TRH • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I find it distressing that you were watching any TV whilst working, supposedly, for years at your government job, Fox News notwithstanding.

Frank • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

How sad that you have become “distressed.” Drink some tea and go to bed.

Anna keppa • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

OK, I’ll bite: how about clearly identifying five examples to support your claim, along with the “real” facts?

Not one, but five. Because anyone can cherry-pick.

Give it a go.

LibelFreeZone • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Quote: Yes MSNBC is liberal, but the FACTS aren’t. The editorial is, and they stay separate.

HAHAHAHAHA! What a riot! MSNBC, by your own admission, is liberal, so how could the so called facts be facts? MSNBC is just the PR arm of the current White House.

clocker1 • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I have worked for the government for over 20 years in 4 states, in multiple venues and I have NEVER seen Fox News as the mandatory news feed. In EVERY government office I have EVER been in, CNN is the only channel shown. Who’s government do you work for?

Jack • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I guess that explains why Fox programs attract mutiple times the viewers of liberal shows–all that “faux news.” Could it be, instead, that people like Ed Schultz and Melissa Harris-Perry and that fine young man, Rachel Maddow, are just unwatchable? Yeah, maybe.

tony zambos • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

if you don’t like Fox News, ok. But, the fact you have Van Jones, mr socialist, on the show, is something I cannot stomach. I understand you need to keep your job, but you really just don’t need to say anything. This story is about poor ratings with a CNN show, nothing to do with Fox. Or are you really just looking for a promotion.

Ronnie • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

What a load of hogwash!
Where are the facts? It is easy to make blanket statements when you have no proof to back up the garbage that you write.

Phocus • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Steve, you’re a drone. Wake up, let fresh air into your brain. Learn how to think instead of accepting what to think. Your mental rut is stunning.

arby • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Like CNN doesn’t “lie”–as in, for example, using a full-auto rifle to demonstrate what would supposedly become available if a ban that is limited to semi-autos were to be allowed to expire. And BTW, that info came off the CNN’s own website’s transcript of the show involved. It was so bad that when Wayne La Pierre called them out on it on Sunday, they re-did the whole show on Monday and reached an entirely different conclusion. And don’t say the re-do is a testament to their journalistic integrity, they never would have done it if LaPierre hadn’t gone off-script and so publicly shamed them.

Tex Geoas • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

You’re a troll… right?
Back up your libelous charge with some facts.
The longer you went on the more apparent it was that you DON’T know anything about FOX.

Scotty Johnson • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

“I’ve watched Fox News extensively. Every day for years at a government job” I think that just about sums what is happening in the government.

BillyBob • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

So then tell us festus about some of those many lies you claim come from FOX News.

southern woman • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Don’t believe you. If you were at a government job, the station would be anything but FOX.

Spad • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I don’t believe a word you say. There’s not a government worksite anywhere that would have FOX news on…. and I’ll bet money on it. If there’s a TV tuned to news there’s only one channel they’ll allow and that’s CNN, the governments favorite news of omission…..

And I’m still waiting to hear the specifics of all the lies you claim that FOX spews…..

Swalker • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I hate to tell you this, (NO I AM NOT!,) my local Veterans Clinic exclusively shows Fox news, and has been for the last 6 years. Now how much do you owe me?

Jekyllisland • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Well then please list the lies – you should have no problem doing so.

Apparently Fox News reported that Medicare would cut $700 billion and the left screamed them down and called them liars, guess what Fox was right.

So please list your facts, willing to bet you don’t have any

TexasRick • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

And which network actually has guests that represent opposing views and even has a regular member of a panel that is a liberal??? A conservative would never be allowed on MSNBC because their hosts would be so overmatched and underprepared…..they’re great with the sarcastic, condescending comments and personal attacks at MSNBC, but when it comes to sticking to the facts…not so much.

Noah Rader • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Steve, you’ve got to be kidding.

I am a master at the remote control and usually cover all of the information stations during events that I am wanting information and not opinion.

Fox is inviting both sides in a controversy, but their reporting is without editorializing while CNBC and NBC are presenting only a liberal bias with experts who are either misinformed or lying constantly.

Funny, the Pew Research Organization came to the opposite conclusion that you did – they (and they are a left of center organization) determined that Fox had more objectivity than MSNBC did by quite a margin. Must be your perspective (what a surprise from a government worker… are you a member of ASFCME?)

Sharon • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Right On. Watch it and then maybe you will be a lot more informed.

jayz43 • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

TRU DAT!

Derty Ernie • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

At least Fox news presents both sides of the story and doesn’t protend to be just a conservative talk show. Wheras CNN is designed to bash republican anything. There is no, lets hear what the other side is saying.

No wonder you turned it off, its so one sided even you can’t believe the BS they are trying to pump out.

Zeke • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Faux News — wow, you win the award for most original post. Did you coin that phrase yourself? The difference between CNN and Fox is that one gets viewers and has a slightly more even-handed approach, while the other is yet one more vapid mouthpiece for ruling-class leftists.

You want to talk vacuous? Turn on MSNBC. But you probably think that’s hard and incisive “reporting.”

smooth move • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

The viewership of Fox speaks volumes. Beats CNN and MSNBC by a factor of three!!! While Fox continues to build audience, the other two are dying. People don’t like to be lied to… and when they watch CNN and MSNBC, they eventually realize that they are being lied to.

I guess you don’t watch Fox News. There’s a reason it’s killing it in the ratings. It’s excellent.

Paul Sheldon • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Fox News’ contribution to journalism is the same as Charlie’s Angels’ contribution to criminology.

mike • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

That attack on Fox is utter ignorant rubbish.

bob • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

LOL he admitted as if ‘it doesn’t matter’ … “I’ve watched Fox News extensively. Every day for years at a government job … ‘

THAT SAYS IT ALL.

Frank • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Hahaha! Spot on!

Tex Geoas • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

When all you have left is NOTHING… you revert to name-calling and slurs. You contribute NOTHING to the conversation. You KNOW NOTHING or you would say something intelligent, factual. Perhaps you are what is now being identified as America’s LOFO’s – Low Information Voters.

scott payne • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Wow!! How closed minded of you. At least conservatives listen/watch the leftist tripe that’s forced on them by all the networks. You’d at least attempt to learn something outside your comfort zone.

southern woman • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Agree. I tune in to all of them but the gag reflex kicks in pretty quickly at the sight of Scarborough/Mika, Maddow/Matthews or those other little tricks whose hyphenated names I cannot recall—–
I watch FOX because they are the only network that attempts to give both sides. They DO put on voices other than their own whether or not any of the Libs will admit it. Otherwise, it would be very boooring and they wouldn’t have the ratings they have.

Chuck • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

There’s your problem. One all 24-hr news networks have. They “put on voices other than their own”. Its a NEWS network its not supposed to HAVE a voice, just report the news. Like I said they are all like that, but honestly, Fox IS the worst…by far.

Jim • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

QJ,such use of great words; dumb and vacuous! You must use your “Websters” when making comments. At least Fox News has competing views and most of their hosts acknowledge that they are commentators and not pure news journalists. Stay in your little world and watch HGTV, you might be able to purchase a home someday.

Anonymous • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Not sure what it says that you need a TV on in the background all day…

Leslie • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

“Faux News”? That’s like R-S-T-L-N-E in Wheel of Fortune. Come up with something we haven’t heard before.

Scott • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Working at home but need a TV on in the background? Yeah, you’re a big thinker….

Complaining about how dumb CNN is even dumber. It’s show business, folks, that means its entertainment, with paid advertising. Bugs Bunny cartoons from 1965 are generally more sophisticated than anything on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox, or other show business, masquerading as serious information, broadcasts.

Robin • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

“Now I just have endless reruns of House Hunters play all day.” Good for you. Stay stupid.

cspanjunkie • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

With over a hundred channels out there, you can’t find anything more interesting than reruns of House Hunters? And you accuse others of being “dumb and vacuous?” Be careful leaving your parent’s basement; there are big noisy metal things on wheels out there that can hurt you.

elcid2 • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

More like the Faux Predient and Faux Demoncraps

elcid2 • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I meant President.

Bob • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

QJ201

So please inform us, can you tell the difference between CNN and House Hunters?
callmeBob

John • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Now could you explain to us comment readers, is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Rolando Ramos • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

You forgot to reveal that you have msnbc permanently inbedded in a chip in your brain.

Political Hostage • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Try working for a living… TV won’t mean so much.

Herewe Goagain • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

That’s funny. The show is truly awful, but Newt is the best part of the show. The “hateful hack” is the only voice of reason.

TimR • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Why don’t you get job and work all day. You might learn something if you worked a job. Somehow I just don’t feel bad for you that you “have” to watch cable tv all day.

Dave in Houston • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

And this involves Fox how? This was about CNN and that no one is watching their programs, specifically Cross Fire. Fox is doing very well in the ratings.

Newt Gringrich hateful how?

CharlestonBoy • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

“Faux News” pulled in FOUR times the viewers MSNBC did during Prime Time last week, and CNN was a distant third.
Of course, those two million viewers would be no match for your razor-sharp intellect, as evidenced by the brilliant quality of your post. (Did you actually finish high school? Really?..In the United States?…)
BTW, everyone knows that “I work at home” is simply a Liberal euphemism for “I don’t have a real job.”

Something has poisoned the pool on CNN.People who listen to the news don’t listen to this network because they don’t trust them. Pierce Morgan ,Anderson Cooper ,Candy Croley….one disaster after another! I think the problem is that nobody respects them or looks up to them. This goes along way to trusting or even caring enough to listen to what they have to say.This is called the credibility factor.

Edward Boothe • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

As close as this election was, there is little doubt in my mind that they stole the Virginia Governors race.

They stole a Senatorial race in Minnesota to give them the one vote they needed to pass the(un)Affordable Care Act.

What in the hell has happened to the white race in this country.
I know the minorities want Communism so the working people can share their pay check with them, but I fail to understand why the white people want it. Maybe the white women have fantasies about going to bed with Obonge. If they get the chance they better not believe anything he has to say.

old white guy • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

when did you get the chance to watch Fox if you had CNN on all day?

Todd • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

At your level of intelligence you would be more comfortable watching “The Price is Right.”

Eddie Tenna • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

If CNN markets the Far Left and Fox markets somewhere in the middle, leaning Establishment Republican, what do you think is going to happen? If you are looking for Shoes you go to a shoe store, not a porno store. People who will watch an actual battle with two points of view will not tune into a CNN market of liberal one sided view. The good thing is that it stopped you from continuing to degenerate you brain.

Reggie1971 • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

LOL. I bet you think Stephanie Cutter is a polite and respectful debater. Ha ha ha.

Ken Hoag • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Do you hang in there for Stephanie Cutter? She could play Jack’s part in “The Shining”

Latrobe Ligonier • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Newt is great! Keep him by all means. As for the left, rotate different lefties from all walks until you find one that clicks.

Human • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Like Air America, the people don’t want to listen to all the liberal bigots and hate they spew 24/7. Which is why all the liberal networks are at the bottom of the ratings.

Buck O'Fama • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Awww, diddums somebody wheck your wiberal wecho chamber puddin?

Jimmy • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

If only the rest of us were as smart as you, we would certainly be able to see that Obama is the messiah.

Anonymous • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Faux News, it eats you up that there is one station, One, that doesn’t toe the liberal line of a media that created a little, dull man as a presidential candidate, a fool without a teleprompter. You can’t have them all sport, much as you want to. A bit of a totalitarian streak there?

silly liberals • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I bet you are one of the ten who watch MsDNC.
Watching any NBC station for news is like listening to farts to learn how to cook, but no wonder the liberal base rely on my tax money for survival.

G. Fugate • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

How quickly we forget. Obama was forced to fire Van Jones when Glenn Beck found a video of Mr. Jones admitting he was a communist. I used to watch Crossfire many years ago, but would never watch a show with a Communist on it. Communism has been thrown on the “ash heap” of history as Reagan predicted.

Anonymous • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Moron!

hard2say • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Spoken like a true toddler – “It’s their fault..”

Kevin M • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

How come people who worship at the diversity altar cannot stand diversity in the media?

Diogene71 • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Your commenst support my decision to turn off the televisions years ago. Th emajority of it is demaning and appeals to low info people and low vocabulary people. Why woulod anyone have a TV on ALL DAY?

Anonymous • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Completely agree…

Travis Speak • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Crossfire should never have been resuscitated. It is superfluous now that entire channels do nothing but argue partisan talking points back and forth, 24 hours a day.

I still root for CNN, as it is the only major news channel left that hasn’t “picked sides” and gone the way of P.T. Barnum. Hopefully, this slap of a week will convince TPTB that Jeff Zucker was never a good idea, and that they need to worry less about ratings and focus more on reubilding itself as a competent, trusted news & analysis channel. It’s not too late.

Zeke • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

CNN has most certainly picked sides, you are simply too unaware to realize what’s been obvious to most people for many years.

Apparently you never heard of Candy Crowley or Wolf Blitzer. Apparently you also never heard of the reputation CNN has for being one of the most hypocritical liberal mouthpieces out there — at least MSNBC is up-front about their partisanry.

garyneidhardt • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Excuse me? CNN always has been a darling of liberalism. That’s why their ratings have tanked. Didn’t pick sides? My heavens, that says a great deal about you.

Scott • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

/agreed Crossfire used to be the one show that had opinion front and center (well, that and McLaughlin).

Now most of the networks are nothing but opinion and bias. Crossfire is rather trite today…

John • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

CNN doesn’t pick sides? You must be lost in space. Hopeless.

stoptouchingthatmabel • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

CNN, as it is the only major news channel left that hasn’t “picked sides. When did you come out of your coma?

I really liked CNN because it was news, not show business or political grandstanding or biased. News and information. Why Jeff Zucker was tapped to help CNN evolve is beyond me after he decimated NBC News and entertainment during his reign of terror there. I don’t need flashand babble… news… solid reporting… respectable personalities… It would be a shame to see this pioneer legacy cable news web fall by the wayside.

Huh • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

really???

Slant • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

dmr • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Is this a big set-up for “Y’All Been Zucker-fied!”, a new show he’ll host live?

JustSayin' • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I only watch AC360 Later, which is a million times better than Crossfire and Gingrich. Although, Anderson, please stop putting that Navarro woman on your panel, she’s HORRIBLE!

Terrence Linder • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

It’s still CNN,the grandfather of tv news. No one is going to abandon it! When you go to the airports,restaurants,and some bars what news channel do you see? CNN. do you see Fox News? Rarely. And what about all that so called stuff Fox News sells? Do you see anybody wearing it in public? No! They are not crazy. Not even Fox News viewers! So much for number one huh.

Zeke • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

“No one is going to abandon it,” you say. Apparently you are unaware of CNN’s hemorrhaging ratings. As for the rest of your rant, it’s pretty unintelligible and irrelevant to the topic.

joshreader • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

You make it sound like CNN plays in airports because of its quality. Actually, CNN plays in airports because CNN has a longstanding (and very lucrative) financial agreement with airports. You are correct that CNN still exists as a profitable brand (especially internationally), and people will always tune into CNN when there are major news events, wars and tragedies. But none of this changes the fact that CNN in America is in trouble and needs to be reformulated. How to do that? I don’t have a clue, but then I doubt Zucker does either.

rulierose • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Newt Gingrich and Stephanie Cutter on the same show at the same time? ick. finally, my liberal pals and I have something we can agree on; no matter which side you’re on, you’d have to go a long way to find two more irritating TV personalities than Gingrich and Cutter.

cadavra • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Don’t forget S.E. Cupp, a Glenn Beck disciple of such astounding ignorance that she would frequently leave her co-panelists on “The Cycle” with their mouths hanging open in disbelief.

And of course, the hypocrisy of Gingrich, who raises millions bashing the mainstream media, appearing regularly on said mainstream media and no doubt being well-paid for it, hits a new low even for him.

nooneyouknow • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

And yet you aren’t even bothered by Cutter’s and Van Jones’ past associations, are you? No, all of your ire to aimed toward those from the other side.

Not Surprised • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I suspect that House Hunters is a good match for your intellectual curiosity.

Ran neal • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

How can any literate, conscious person say that CNN has not picked sides? They are so deep into mindless support of the liberal/progressive agenda they cannot see, report or understand any other political point of view.

Whether in Iraq under Saddam or here in the U.S., CNN has one rule: suck up to those in power and don’t rock the boat. That doesn’t make for great debates. On vitally important issues like immigration and trade, all four hosts are on the same basic side. None of the four hosts represent the interests of most Americans on those issues. Why bother to watch such a fake “debate”?

Joel • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

CNN could have me be president of the news and I could guarantee I would do better than turdboy. Want to improve crossfire ratings? Move it to 6:00pm where it would NOT have to go against FNC’s All Star Panel. That last twenty minutes is where they have all analysis which is what crossfire gives a viewer. The first 30 min of Special Report is hard news. Zucker you are an idiot if you don’t see that.

Why would anyone want to listen to Van Jones? The guy is a radical leftist. Stephanie Cutter is a typical political hack. You can never believe anything that a liberal is saying. Just look at how the left is circling the wagons around Obama’s lies about Obama care. “If you like your health plan you can keep it, period. if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor, period”. Any time you have a group of people like liberals that think they know what is best for you, watch out! The radical liberal movement has ruined what was once a great party. Liberalism has caused more hardships then any other political group in America history. Inner city schools are hell holes. Teacher unions are not for educating our children they are about power and indoctrination. Black communities have been ruined by leftist doctrine. Never trust a democrat.

eyeroll • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I for one love the right’s sudden concern for the black community…while doing their best to disenfranchise them at the polls.

I’d rather poke my eyes and and rupture my eardrums before I spend a micro-second listening to either of these two blowhards. Cutter makes Carville look downright sorta-not-that-stupid…

Dennis Curtis • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

The Tea Party is on there way out. They have become to radical, to far to the right.

Justin Credible • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Most of them know how to spell, though, Dennis…..

twan jim • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Too far, their way. I suppose freedom and liberty are too radical for some to understand.

TexBill • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

What wonderful grammar you have. “The Tea Party is on THERE way out.” Not only is it wrong, it is evidence that you had a government school education.

Roger • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Why defend the corrupt rotten establishment against the Tea Party? Perhaps your vision of the Tea Party comes from the media that is controlled by the establishment? Explain why the Tea Party is worse than neocons like McCain and Graham?

nooneyouknow • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I understand the concept of personal freedoms, rights of the individual, less taxes and a smaller government that lives within its means and goes by the Constitution must be radical for those who want a nanny-type of government. What is it like to want to be control by others? You really believe the government cares about you and only has your best interest at heart?

Shootingstar • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

I bet this poster has never watched FOX news…of course, that would be one of the few that doesn’t …by far out numbering all other cable news shows. Now who’s the uninformed idiot here?

Col. Angus • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

TV executives are like baseball managers and football coaches. Losers like Zucker crew up, get fired (much later) and then get hired by other hapless network or team. Zucker is still more proof.

ZuckStink • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Jeff Zucker… dude, just resign. Go live in a forest somewhere.

Justin Credible • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

CNN doesn’t have a single compelling on-air personality. Like them or not, FNC/FBN has at least a dozen people who people tune in to watch on a regular basis, and they do it in the millions.

twan jim • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

Crosswired short circuits, no surprise.

ben • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

CNN should more to the right of FOX. Wide open territory. No Karl Rove, No Billy O’Reilly. Truly conservative viewpoint. More viewers, more viewers with intellect, more viewers with money, more viewers with time to watch TV.

College Student • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

To the right of Fox? Is that even possible?

I guess they could become a Tea Party Network but why associate yourselves with a group that 80% of Americans disagree with?

Johns Manville • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

@College Student. Since you disagree with the TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party and their support for the limited defined in US Constitution, I will look forward to your and your friends paying through the nose directly through taxes and indirectly through inflation to keep my lavish lifestyle afloat while you punch away on your 0bamaphone. Good luck and stay off my lawn.

Gary • on Nov 5, 2013 2:36 pm

The panel is made up of Newt Gingrich, which many of the left will not watch, and Van Jones, which many of the right will not watch, they are lucky to have the amount of viewers they have. With those two on the same panel, what did the network expect?